Jacksonville businessman will lead the committee to find Florida State president

Florida State University has taken the first step in finding a new president.

The university’s board selected Jacksonville businessman Ed Burr to lead a search committee charged with finding the 15th president. Burr, president and chief executive officer of GreenPointe Holdings, is a 1979 alumnus.

He said he wouldn’t discuss what characteristics the university needs in its new president. After the search committee is finalized March 7, a search firm will be hired and the qualities FSU wants in a president will be determined. The search committee will consist of faculty, students, alumni and other supporters, Burr said.

The new president will succeed Eric Barron, who resigned effective April 2 to become president of Pennsylvania State University.

Board chair Allan Bense said FSU wants to seat a new president by year’s end.